2014 Sydney Chinese Language Spectacular

The 2014 Sydney Chinese Language Spectacular was held at Sydney Town Hall last night.

19th October 2014

The Confucius Institute at UNSW Australia, in association with the Chinese Language Teachers Association NSW and under the support of the Education Office of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney, held the Sydney Chinese Language Spectacular last night at Sydney Town Hall. This unique, milestone event, which saw the collaboration of more than twenty Sydney schools, was attended by the Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney His Excellency Li Huaxin, Professor Fred Hilmer AO, Abbostleigh School for Girls Headmistress Mrs Judith Poole and a range of school principals and community representatives.

His Excellency Li Huaxin, in his address to the audience, expressed his best wishes for a bright future for Sino-Australian relations, while Professor Fred Hilmer noted how, as is evidenced by events such as this, Sydney is one of the best places to learn Chinese outside of China itself.

Caleb Rostedt receiving the "Chinese Language Star" certificate

A celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Global Confucius Institute Network, this Spectacular gave the 453 participating students the opportunity to showcase their talents and skill in understanding Chinese language and culture. The Spectacular consisted of a 300-student joint choir, poetry readings, raps, East-West instrumental fusions, Chinese folk dances and various other impressive performances. Two UNSW students, Caleb Rostedt and Lucy Jakubowski-Laxon, also performed Chinese songs. Caleb received a certificate from the Confucius Institute at UNSW for his outstanding achievement of first prize in the Chinese Bridge Language Competition.

The efforts of the performers and volunteer teachers resulted in a sufficiently moved and entertained audience of more than 1000 people.

This Chinese Language Spectacular was not only the first united performance of Chinese ability by Sydney students, but was also the first time that different types of education institutions – primary schools, high schools, community schools and universities – all joined together in creating one cohesive performance. This truly proves that Chinese language and culture learning can link the people of a community together and inspire brilliant community events, just like last night’s Spectacular.